Story: Atmosphere

Greenhouse gas concentrations, Baring Head

Greenhouse gas concentrations, Baring Head

These graphs show the atmospheric concentrations of three greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. They were measured in parts per million (carbon dioxide) or per billion (methane and nitrous oxide) at Baring Head, near Wellington. All show a consistent upward trend during the 1990s and into the 2000s. If the gases continue to increase, they will absorb more energy in the earth’s lower atmosphere, and the climate will continue to warm.

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Source: NIWA – National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research

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How to cite this page:

Bill Allan, Katja Riedel, Richard McKenzie, Sylvia Nichol and Tom Clarkson, 'Atmosphere - Greenhouse gas measurements in New Zealand', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/graph/6147/greenhouse-gas-concentrations-baring-head (accessed 18 April 2024)

Story by Bill Allan, Katja Riedel, Richard McKenzie, Sylvia Nichol and Tom Clarkson, published 12 Jun 2006